U. S. Wings sale

[scotrace]

I may call them.
I'm still not in the least troubled by it - I just really wish they'd drop me a note about it. "come get it", "We lost your order." "We don't sell to tall men," etc.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I finally broke down and ordered a goatskin Indy jacket from them yesterday myself.

I don't "need" it, but for the price of a couple of tanks of gas, it just seemed nuts not to give it a shot...

 

[scotrace]

Well, be sure and post pics when you get it tomorrow!

 

[Feraud]

scotrace, considering how long you have been waiting I would consider a phone call to clarify the status of your order.

 

[scotrace]

Heh

On phone with them now..."Lisa"... "Hello... I am your forgotten customer..."

Now on hold...

Back on hold...

They seem to have lost my order.
Found it. The "seconds" orders are separate.
...ok, now Tina. She recognizes my name.

______

Well, there it is. They don't have my jacket, and they probably won't get any more. The Large size has proven hard to come by, and I may just be shut out. Should know in a day or so. There are apparently many guys in the same boat.

How many of you guys got goat Indy jackets in Large? Wow - I ordered early.

 

[Atticus Finch]

I may call them.
I'm still not in the least troubled by it - I just really wish they'd drop me a note about it. "come get it", "We lost your order." "We don't sell to tall men," etc.

Hi Scott,

I know how you feel about calling a seller. I'm not crazy about it myself. But I think that it is sometimes necessary to get a lost order moving. Call U.S. Wings about 3:00 EDT and ask for Tina. She is very nice and can at least let you know what is the status of your transaction.

Atticus

 

[Feraud]

On phone with them now..."Lisa"... "Hello... I am your forgotten customer..."

Now on hold...

Back on hold...

They seem to have lost my order.

...ok, now Tina. She recognizes my name.

______

Well, there it is. They don't have my jacket, and they probably won't get any more. The Large size has proven hard to come by, and I may just be shut out. Should know in a day or so. There are apparently many guys in the same boat.

How many of you guys got goat Indy jackets in Large? Wow - I ordered early.

What?? Come on now! You ordered early and they lost your order?
Are they willing to make amends for their error? Possibly, hook you up with one of their stock Indy jackets for the sale price?

Let me know when is a good time to commend G&B on their customer service.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Hi Scott,

I have to agree with Feraud, some of the civil attorneys here may correct me, but I think U.S. Wings may be "on the hook" to you for one goatskin Indy jacket in size large.

Atticus

 

[scotrace]

Well, I haven't been charged, so i don't know. [huh]

I sent a note saying that I'm not particularly married to goatskin, if some other hide is available.

A limited-availability item, at a loss-leader price - we'll see where it goes from here. I may just be outta luck. I'll keep you posted.

Feraud - what on earth are you waiting for? If you don't start boasting, I will for you!


Edit, Added: From the volume of posts here and at COW with happy campers, my situation was the obvious exception and I still think US Wings runs a fine business. Luck of the draw. (been outbid on THREE hats this week!) The search goes on!

 

[skbellis]

Indy Jacket on the way...

Finally my Indy Horse is on the way. It shipped out on Monday and should be here tommorow. Very anxious. The G-2 that I initially purchased form the US Wings sale has broken in nicely. I have been dealing with Lisa at USW and she has been very helpful. I plan on sending a letter to Sgt. Hack letting him know what a good job his people are doing.

---Scott

 

[Technonut]

Finally my Indy Horse is on the way. It shipped out on Monday and should be here tommorow. Very anxious. The G-2 that I initially purchased form the US Wings sale has broken in nicely. I have been dealing with Lisa at USW and she has been very helpful. I plan on sending a letter to Sgt. Hack letting him know what a good job his people are doing.

---Scott

Please post pics of the jacket when it arrives... I have never seen one of the horsehide Wings Indy jackets.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Please post pics of the jacket when it arrives... I have never seen one of the horsehide Wings Indy jackets.

Hi Technonut,

The Indy jacket I bought is supposed to be horsehide, as well. It is still difficult for me to believe that they are selling me a new horsehide jacket for $79.00, but we will see what shows up tomorrow.

Atticus

 

[scotrace]

Hi Technonut,

The Indy jacket I bought is supposed to be horsehide, as well. It is still difficult for me to believe that they are selling me a new horsehide jacket for $79.00, but we will see what shows up tomorrow.

Atticus

I've got my fingers crossed for you. Please be sure and pop some pics up if you can.

 

[M_Jones]

Well, reading about all of the great jackets that people have received here I took a gamble yesterday. I called up just to see if they had anything left in an XL. It turns out they did and soon enough I shall have a goat indy in my possesion. The last one available it seems. I am looking forward to it. Thanks to all for the info on this sale and for posting pics. Scotrace, I hope it works out for you man......

Regards,
Hollis

 

[skbellis]

Indy Jacket (horse)Arrival

Well, its finally here. Overall I am quite pleased with it. It fits well, except for the sleeves being a little long (but perhaps once they crease a little the fit wil be better). The alleged horsehide isn't as stiff as I was expecting to be. I feel that this jacket should break in nicely. Well worth the grand total of $99. When I get home I'll take some photos and post them.

Cheers,

---Scott

 

[Doctor Strange]

I just got a call from my mom - my goatskin Indy just arrived (I had it sent to my parents since I only have a PO box). I'll go over and check it out tonight.

I didn't even receive an email message that it had shipped yet! I ordered it Monday morning and it arrived Wednesday afternoon... Now that's *service*!

(Sorry, Scotrace.)

 

[Atticus Finch]

Hi Folks,

I just opened my Indy jacket from U.S. Wings. My first impression is that it is well worth the $79.00 and shipping I paid for it.

The fit is very good except that the sleeves are a tad too long for me. I doubt that this will be an issue because, as the jacket breaks in, the sleeves will shorten by about a half an inch or so. I'd rather them be long as opposed to short, anyhow. I especially like the pleats in the back as they allow unrestricted forward arm movement much like the freedom of movement provided by G-1s. And the side "chinches" trim up the fit of the jacket nicely. I've never owned a jacket with them, but I can now see why they are so popular.

I'm not sure whether the jacket is made of horsehide or cowhide. I ordered horse and the invoice states that it is horse, but the tag in the jacket only says that it is leather. Unlike some internet experts, I can't tell the difference between new horsehide and new cowhide by sight and feel. I can only tell you that it is not goat or lamb. The jacket might be cow or it might be horse, who knows---I'll give you a verdict after about ten years of wearing it.

The lining is a nylon/acetate blend and appears to be of acceptable quality. There is even a touch of insulation in the jacket. I was happy about this last fact because the G-1s and A-2s I'm used to wearing are cold jackets. I know that they are both timeless classics, but I'm sorry, they are cold, timeless classics.

The finish is seal with some very subtle hints of russet. It appears to be a fairly thin finish that will wear off quickly in the high spots. I hope so. I think this jacket will develope some really nice character as it breaks in.

I'm lukewarm about the hardware. The snaps appear to be fine, but the zipper is stiff. It's a size ten, paperclip-pull zipper of some brand, but I can't tell which. I can say this: It misses the quality of the 1950s' paperclip Conmars by a long shot. Maybe some candle wax will help it.

Generally, I collect only issued military jackets---mainly Korea and Vietnam-era flight jackets. So I took a bit of a chance with this Indy. But I'm glad I did. Since it is not a reproduction of anything real, to make me happy it only had to be a medium quality jacket with a 'thirties feel. This, it does splendidly.

I'll post photos later this weekend.

Atticus

 

[Doctor Strange]

Got my hands on my XL goatskin Indy jacket last night...

It's a well made jacket, with very substantial leather (the goat seems heavier, and definitely has a heavier finish, than my G&B goat jackets) and there's clearly something between the leather and lining: this is a much heavier/warmer jacket that my Wested lambskin. I'm generally not a fan of synthetic linings, but this one is okay. It's an interesting color.

Construction-wise, it has standard two-piece sleeves and a one-piece center back panel - but the yoke is considerably larger than my Wested, making the action back less useful (it also has shallower pleats and awfully short straps). The pockets have heavy-duty ring-style snaps, the strap rings are brass, and the zipper is a big, clunky, not-very-smooth-action brass affair. The dual inner wallet pockets are a nice touch. Oddly, the handwarmer pockets aren't lined, except for the back of the patch pocket - it's just goatskin on the inner side. Oh, and there's a "Made in China" tag sticking out under the label.

For $80, what's not to like?

Well, the sizing is pretty much all wrong for me. The shoulders are *huge* (they stick out well over an inch beyond my actual shoulder on each side) and the upper arms are cut very wide and baggy, like a current A-2. The sleeves would have to be taken up about an inch and a half before I could wear this thing anyplace. But the worst part is the waist/belly: it's borderline too tight. I can zip the jacket, but not if I put *anything* in any of the pockets. (Oddly enough, the body length is perfect.)

Sure, this is more about *my* big gut vs. lack of upper body development than anything else. But my G&B 46s, Alpha XLs, LL Bean XLs, etc., all fit me way better than this particular XL.

But I'm not returning it. Conditions here have gotten too warm for wearing it now, so I'll wait until the fall and decide then. I may give it to my best friend, who doesn't own a leather jacket and is similar in size to me, but with more in the shoulders/arms and less in the waist. Or I may eventually sell it for just a little above my cost...

I was curious about these USW Indy jackets, and I'm glad I finally got to check one out. I'd say that they're pretty nice if you want a generic Indy-inspired jacket that's tougher than a Wested, and you're not fussy about the details... and you don't have my particular sizing issues.

My main feeling is that I am more impressed than ever with the design, detailing, and overall sophistication of my Wested Raiders - it's a *much* classier jacket, and it fits me absolutely perfectly. (Well, it was made to measure.)

 

[scotrace]

Great reviews.
I'll be very anxious to see the horse versions.

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

Well, at least you got one.

You're very lucky, Doc, that you got your jacket. I called US Wings this morning about my order from two weeks ago and for some reason the jackets they said they have, in medium and large, are gone...or were never there. Anyway, they had to cancel my orders and a lot of others, too. Maybe it's for the best and I'm finally just going to order a Wested and be done with it...KC